Modular construction system for shells

ABSTRACT

1. For manufacturing shells for different uses, a modular construction system is described that is provided with identical container-like shell bodies ( 1 ), fillings ( 2 ) matched to the respective purpose of application, and different shell tips ( 3, 3′, 3″ ) suitable for the respective purpose of application.

[0001] The invention relates to a modular construction system for shells for different uses, in particular 40 mm shells, wherein the modular construction system has identical shell bodies and shell heads matched to the respective purpose of application.

[0002] Such modular construction systems, in particular of the 40 mm type, have a container defining the shell body or shell, which is filled according to the purpose of use, and is closed by a front shell head. The shell head thus satisfies on the one hand a closing or lid function, and on the other hand an application-specific function, in that in the case of explosive shells it completes the active portion of the shell body, and with nonexplosive shells bursts following percussion and releases the contents (marking dye, smoke and so forth). In these instances the shell head is fabricated from plastics and provided with pre-determined breakage points.

[0003] In order to now obtain economical fabrication and the same technical parameters in use, the invention proposes a modular construction system for shells, wherein the shell bodies are constructed in the manner of a container and the shell heads can be selected from different fillings and from different shell tips matched to the fillings, which respectively form a closure for the shell body.

[0004] In such a modular construction system, all the shell bodies can now be produced using a single tool. Adaptations of the shell body can possibly take place according to the purpose of use, for example, colouration or boring of a hole in the base of the shell body.

[0005] According to the purpose of use, filling then takes place, and the purpose-specific shell tip is selected, with which the shell body is then closed. At least two such shell tips are provided, according to whether there is to be an explosive or non-explosive shell. Optionally, another two or three different shell tips are provided for non-explosive shells.

[0006] The unitary connection of the shell body and the shell tip selected can be constructed as a screw connection, bayonet connection, snap connection, or the like.

[0007] The invention will hereinafter be described in more detail with reference to the Figure of the attached drawing, without being limited thereto. The Figure shows a diagrammatic overview of possible combinations of the modular construction system.

[0008] The modular construction system includes identical shell bodies 1, one of which is shown in the centre of the diagram. Each shell body 1 represents a cylindrical container for an application-specific filling, and is generally designated 2. According to the type of shell to be constructed, the shell body 1 is closed by means of an application-specific selected shell tip 3, 3′, 3″, for example screwed on, latched on, glued on, or the like.

[0009] For explosive shells, a fragmentation filling and an explosive filling are used, and a shell tip 3 of metal or a thermoplastic material is placed, preferably with a rubber-type bearing, on the shell body 1. Corresponding explosive shells 4, 5 are shown on the left-hand side of the drawing. The Figure further shows seven non-explosive shells 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. These are composed of the shell body 1, the application-specific filling 2 (ballast, flare compound, tear gas, detonation charge, marking dye, marking dye with light trace, smoke compound) and two different shell tips 3′, 3″ of plastics material. The plastics shell tips 3′ have ray-shaped pre-determined breakage points 13, the plastics shell tips 3″ additional grooves 14 around the periphery. 

1. Modular construction system for shells for different uses, in particular 40 mm shells, wherein the modular construction system has identical shell bodies and shell heads matched to the respective purpose of application, characterised in that the shell bodies (1) are constructed in the manner of a container and the shell heads can be selected from different fillings and from different shell tips matched to the fillings, which respectively form a closure for the shell body.
 2. Modular construction system according to claim 1, characterised in that the edge of the shell body (1) is provided with a thread onto which each shell tip (3, 3′, 3″) can be screwed.
 3. Modular construction system according to claim 1, characterised in that the edge of the shell body (1) is provided with an annular bead, over which each shell tip (3, 3′, 3″) can be snapped on. 